Wood You Believe This Is the Same Table? Refinish a Table Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Weekend) Ready to turn a tired old table into a total showstopper? Whether it’s a flea market find or your grandma’s hand-me-down, refinishing a table is a satisfying single-day DIY project. Grab your gloves, and let’s get to it! DON’T SKIP THE STRIP. Before you break out the sander, it’s time to tackle the existing finish. If there’s a protective coating or layer of stain, using a varnish stripper first will save you tons of time (and your biceps). Slap on some gloves because this stuff is strong. Spray it on, let it work its magic, then scrape off the gunky mess with a cheap plastic scraper. It’s weirdly satisfying. SAND LIKE A CHAMP. Once your table is stripped and dry, cue the sander! Start with a medium grit to get any stubborn leftovers, then switch to a fine grit for that smooth-to-the- touch finish. Don’t forget the edges and corners — they deserve love, too. CLEANING UP DUST IS A MUST. Dust is your enemy now. Wipe down the entire surface until it’s squeaky clean. No one wants fuzz or sawdust in their stain!
MELLOW ANY YELLOW WITH A WHITEWASH. If you want a blank slate, tame yellow hues with a whitewash stain. One coat, wipe it off, plain and simple. Repeat if needed until you reach the desired neutral tone. STAIN WITH BEAUTY. Pick your favorite wood stain and apply two coats. Wipe off the excess quickly for an even, natural look. This is where the real transformation happens! SEAL THE DEAL. Once dry, protect your masterpiece with two coats of satin polyacrylic. This adds durability without changing the color, just the perfect finish. DON’T FORGET THE UNDERSIDE. Flip it over and do it all again: strip, sand, clean, whitewash, stain, seal. It’s extra work, but it’s worth it. And just like that, you’ve got a table that looks like it came straight from a boutique showroom. Go you, DIY wizard!
SMALL FIXES FOR BIGGER OFFERS DON’T SPEND BIG TO SELL BIG
TOUCH UP THE EXTERIOR OF YOUR HOME. When potential buyers drive past your home or pull up for a tour, they first notice the area around it. Things like a faded or dirty exterior, a damaged mailbox, poor landscaping, and damaged walkways can make a buyer think your home is worth less than anticipated. If it’s bad enough, it could even prevent them from making an offer in the first place. Consider power washing your siding and sidewalks, painting your siding, or replacing your mailbox and house numbers. You only get one chance to make a first impression. DON’T LEAVE THINGS UNFINISHED. The last thing you want to do is leave any project unfinished. Not only will this deter a buyer from making an offer, but it could also become an issue further down the road, during an inspection. While people anticipate starting projects when they buy a house, they don’t want to pick up where you left off. These simple ideas can help increase the price of offers you receive when selling. While you can always finish a basement, replace appliances, or update a bathroom, the risk may not be worth the reward!
You want to get the most money possible when you sell your home. To accomplish this, many sellers take extreme measures to increase their home’s value. They buy new appliances for the kitchen, repaint the entire house, or remodel entire rooms. It’s important to remember that appraisers and even real estate agents compare your home to recently sold, similar-style houses in the area. Your efforts may encourage buyers to offer more, but it won’t necessarily increase your home’s actual value.
Here are three simple, low-cost ways to get higher offers.
CHANGE OUT THE HARDWARE. If you walk through enough homes, you’ll notice that many show their age through the hardware. Consider updating your faucets, cabinet handles, doorknobs, and hinges to something more eye-catching, sleek, and modern. If potential buyers see the original home’s hardware, they’ll wonder what else you’ve failed to update.
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